Vikings Sign Former Chargers, Rams Linebacker Troy Reeder
The Vikings are loading up on former Rams. In addition to signing gadget receiver and return specialist Brandon Powell on Wednesday, they announced that they've agreed to terms with linebacker Troy Reeder.
Reeder was a member of the Rams' 2021 Super Bowl-winning team. With 30 career starts under his belt, including five in the playoffs, he'll bring added depth and experience to the Vikings' linebacker room.
Following a standout college career at Penn State and Delaware, Reeder went undrafted in 2019 and was signed by the Rams. He earned his way onto the team and ended up appearing in all 16 games as a rookie, starting eight of them. His PFF numbers were ugly, but he recorded 58 tackles and two forced fumbles.
In 2020, Reeder again played in every game, starting seven. He played over 550 defensive snaps and had much-improved grades, including a standout mark on a small handful of pass rush snaps. Reeder had eight pressures and three sacks that season, in addition to 81 tackles. He started both of the Rams' playoff games.
Reeder's role continued to grow in 2021, as he played a career-high 864 defensive snaps, starting ten of 17 games in the regular season. He had two more sacks, six total TFL, a pair of interceptions, and six total passes defended that season, although his coverage grades and stats were poor. Reeder started the first three games of the Rams' playoff run and played 21 defensive snaps in their Super Bowl victory.
Last season, Reeder signed with the Chargers and played just 63 defensive snaps, appearing primarily on special teams. He's been a valuable player on special teams throughout his career, with over 280 special teams snaps in three out of four seasons.
In Minnesota, Reeder figures to slot in — for now — as the No. 3 off-ball linebacker behind Jordan Hicks and Brian Asamoah, which is valuable for depth reasons. But his presence and experience will force Asamoah to earn a starting role this offseason. That was never simply going to be handed to the second-year player out of Oklahoma. Reeder can also play on every special teams unit.
It's a solid, presumably low-cost addition.
Reeder was high school teammates with Vikings right tackle Brian O'Neill in Delaware and the two remain close.
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